Children's Home run by Grace Live In Carers T/A Grace247Care Limited in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 1 Registered provider: Grace Live In Carers T/A Grace247Care Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection there was one child living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/09/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Leaders and the manager do not effectively identify shortfalls. This limits their ability to implement necessary improvements and prevents meaningful change.

p.3

Summary of findings

Behaviour support strategies are ineffective with no reflection or review from managers to identify when change is needed.

p.3

Summary of findings

Staff build positive relationships with the child, supporting their health, time with family and friendships. However, education arrangements are not sufficient with little or no challenge from staff and no consistent routine which adversely affects children’s engagement.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff have built positive relationships with the child. They know the child well and support them to express their views and wishes and act upon them where possible. When this is not possible, the reason for this is explained to the child and alternatives offered.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff welcome the child’s family on a regular basis. Staff maintain regular contact with the family and ensure that they are updated on the child’s progress. Staff also support the child to see their friends. This allows them to maintain relationships with people that are important to them and ensures that they have suitable social interactions.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff support the child to take part in a range of activities to meet their hobbies and interests such as go-karting, swimming and the cinema.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff help the child to access health and wellbeing support when needed. This may be emergency medical support or mental health support. This ensures that the child has access to relevant specialist health services to meet their needs.

p.3

improvement to be good

There is an education plan in place for the child, however this is not meeting their needs. There is not suitable challenge to placing authority and virtual school to ensure that the child has access to suitable education arrangements. Staff support the child to complete homework set by education, however they do not offer suitable encouragement for the child to engage with the home tutor or alternative provision. They do not provide sufficient support to help the child to engage in education daily.

p.3

improvement to be good

There is no structure or routine in place for the child. They often stay asleep until the afternoon without challenge or support from staff. This does not help the child to create good sleeping habits and healthy routines. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 4

p.3

improvement to be good

There have been no allegations, disclosures or safeguarding concerns since the last inspection. Staff are suitably trained in safeguarding to provide them with the skills needed to respond to any concerns, should they arise.

p.4

improvement to be good

Current behaviour support strategies are not helping the child to feel safe. There are no structured or proactive plans in place to reduce the risk of harm or to promote the child’s development.

p.4

improvement to be good

When incidents occur, staff follow the strategies outlined in the child’s support plans. However, these strategies are not proving effective, and there is no evidence of them being reviewed or updated. As a result, staff continue to respond to incidents in the same way, leading to little or no progress or positive change.

p.4

improvement to be good

Significant events are recorded and subject to manager’s oversight. However, this process is inconsistent. Staff do not always record incidents where the child becomes upset or angry. This limits managers’ ability to effectively review situations, reflect on practice, and identify necessary changes to improve support strategies.

p.4

improvement to be good

There has been one occasion when the child has been missing from home. Staff completed a thorough search in attempts to locate the child and return them home. When necessary, they reported the child missing from home to the police who supported a safe return. Staff explored the reason for the child being missing from home and ensured that they were safe on their return.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is no effective leadership and management of the home. Leaders and managers have not taken suitable action to address all the requirements raised at the last inspection.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not know the strengths and weaknesses of the home and have been ineffective in prioritising, challenging and making improvements.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers’ monitoring and oversight systems are ineffective and as a result, they cannot identify shortfalls in their processes. This means that poor practice is not always challenged or changed.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

When there are concerns with decisions made by external agencies regarding the child’s education and care plans, the manager has not effectively challenged this to ensure that the child’s needs are met.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is a consistent and stable team of staff. This means that the child is supported by staff they know well. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 5 Staff complete a wide range of training and refresher sessions to meet children’s needs. However, this does not always help staff to understand children’s specific needs, or to provide consistent support. For example, staff do not attend training regarding children’s online safety or the model of care detailed in the statement of purpose.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers attend regular staff supervision, which is practice related and child focused. Supervision meetings are used as an opportunity to share information and reflect on difficult situations. Since the last inspection, the manager now receives regular supervision from the responsible individual.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is wear and tear and areas of damage throughout the home. This detracts from the home being welcoming and homely for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that suitable systems are in place for the monitoring and oversight of the home to ensure that shortfalls and areas for improvement are identified. The registered person must also ensure that all 4 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 7 significant events are suitably recorded to enable them to monitor changes, trends or triggers and to provide accurate information to relevant professionals. The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.7

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vii)(b)(e))

p.7

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that behaviour support strategies are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are effective and meet the child’s individual support needs. In addition to this, the registered person must have plans in place to support a reduction in risk. 4 June 2026

p.7

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

that staff— 4 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 8 help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

p.8

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

p.8

Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

p.8

Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(x))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff support the child to understand the importance of engaging in education and that they challenge the relevant professionals if the child’s education provision is not meeting their needs. In addition to this, staff must support and encourage the child to engage in daily education arrangements. The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.8

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 4 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 9 understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.9

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.9

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

p.9

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.9

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iv)(vi)(ix))

p.9

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is daily structure and routine in place for the child to promote positive sleep patterns, education and daily routines. In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.9

Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

p.9

Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

p.9

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must professionally and appropriately challenge the relevant professionals involved in the child’s life to ensure that children’s care needs and education needs are met. 4 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 10 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.9

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.10

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.10

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.10

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.10

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(vii))

p.10

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the home environment is homely and that and damage or wear and tear is quickly repaired. 4 June 2026

p.10

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.10

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.10

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.10

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c))

p.10

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff receive training relevant to their role to help them gain the skills and knowledge to meet children’s specific needs. 4 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 11

p.10

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Grace Live In Carers T/A Grace247Care Limited

p.12

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chambers Business Centre, Chapel Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester OL8 4QQ

p.12

Inspector

Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2805231 13 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.12

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.13

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.13

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.13